A 38 year old single heterosexual female, sans husband, sets off on an adoption journey, hoping to become mother to an Ethiopian infant. All relevant topics may be discussed, such as international adoption, attachment parenting, transracial adoption, etc.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Holy Crap, Charlie Has Been Hospitalized!

Last night at 11PM she started laboring to breathe so hard that her skin was being sucked into her little ribcage and her temp was up to 103. I decided to risk the ice and brought her to the ER. It's not whooping cough... They don't know what it is. Her oxygen was 83 upon arrival (they like over 90). She was transferred to the pedeatric unit at 3AM and is on oxygen and a nebulizer every 4 hours. She is miserable. There are no cribs left so both of us are sharing a twin. She is pathetic. I almost cried seeing her with tubes. The Dr said I did the right thing bringing her in, and that we will have to stay for AT LEAST another night. Ugh. I'm beyond exhausted. Her monitor was broken and the alarm went off every 2 minutes from 3AM to 5AM. Then workmen came to fix it. Then breakfast arrived. Then vitals. Then another nebulizer treatment. Then she cried for awhile... It's 10AM and I'm going to TRY and see if she'll nap.I'm super anxious about the dogs who need to be fed and let out. If they would let me leave here I could bring the dogs to a kennel... And pick up some toothpaste and jammies for us both. But they say they have no one to watch Charlie while I'm gone. Sigh. Single parenting rears it's ugly head again.Pls send me comments to keep me occupied :-) I didn't even bring a book as I had no idea we'd be staying for days.

15 comments:

oh no! poor baby, and poor mama. :( i hope they figure out what's wrong soon and get to fixing it! (((hugs))) if it makes you feel any better, sometimes it's no better having a spouse... my son was hospitalized for a kidney infection when he was 3. my husband had to be at work so i was stuck there with him by myself. (we have no family in the state, except MIL, and she's nonexistent) by the end of our one week stay, i had never felt so crusty in my entire life. the nurses were able to bring me some basic necessities (toothpaste, toothbrush, soap)so i was able to stay clean, but between the stress and not being able to change clothes, it didn't help much. my thoughts are with you and charlie!!!

Mika, your parents called me but said you didn't have your phone charger so I didn't want to call. I'm guessing you have it now based on the blog? I still don't think I should call because maybe you and Charlie are finally getting some much needed sleep. If you want to call me I'm snow bound so I'm here. Sounds like you had a rough night. Wish I could be here to help you. Poor Charlie. It must suck to be a kid and get sick and not be able to verbalize what is wrong or hurting. Did they check her for strepp throat? Anders and Heather both have that now, with same symptoms although not as severe as Charlie. I hope she gets some rest and feels better soon. I'm thinking of you and sending good vibes your way. Love you two!-K

Oh Mika I'm so sorry - what a horrible experience for your both. I hope they figure what Charlie needs ASAP and can send you both home with some meds. My Daniel has been on a nebulizer for about 4 months now (from 8-12 months basically) and while it's a bit of a pain, it's totally doable if that's how they determine Charlie needs to take whatever medicine necessary. I wish I could take care of your dogs for you! Good luck!

Oh you poor things !!! I hope Charlie is ok, and they figure out whats making her sick. As far as entertainment im glad I have an IPHONE so i can browse the web looking at fun sites, im really digging pioneer woman and I heart faces photography. I dont know what your interests are so I dont know what to suggest. Hang in there though!

Holy Crap! what do they mean they have no one to watch her? That is insane! I'm so sorry for you both. Poor sweetie. I'm sure she'll be fine. (so will the dogs). Just hang in there. Just know that you were so smart to bring her in and everything is being done for her that can be. There are some scary things going on with kids this season (the whoop, pneumonia up here) but you have caught it early and she has the nebulizer, so you should be ok. Give her lots of hugs from us (and to you). If you can handle calls we'll call in the morning or feel free to call us tonight if you want....Hang in! We're thinking of you!......Dcuz

Hang in there!!! I will keep all of you in my prayers. wish I lived closer so I could help you out in some way. I am sure Charlie will bounce back. She seems like a strong kid and this will all soon be a distant memory. I hope you get your answers soon and that you both get some much needed rest. Take care!

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Facts from Ethiopia

CHILDREN'S STATUSNewborns dying before age 1 - 1 in 10Children dying before age 5, often from preventable diseases -1 in 6Main causes of early childhood deaths -Diarrhea and pneumoniaOrphans, 2003 estimate -4 millionChildren under age 5 stunted from lack of nutrition - Over 50%High school attendance, females - 8.5%Population with use of adequate sanitation facilities - 15% Rural population with use of adequate sanitation facilities - 4% Population with use of improved drinking water sources - 24% Population with access to public health facilities - 61.3% Population more than 10 km (6 miles) from nearest health facility - Over 50%Physicians per 100,000 people - 3Population moderately to severely underweight - 38% Population stunted due to lack of nutrition - 47%

HIV/AIDSAdults infected weekly - 5,000Age group with highest rate of infection 15-24 years; female prevalence 3 times greater than among malesWomen living with HIV, 15-49 -770,000Mother-to-child HIV transmission - 2nd highest number of new infections per yearChildren dying from AIDS - 1 in 16Children orphaned by AIDS from 2003 to 2007 - 720,000